Latest news with #AnimalWelfare
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lidl says ‘we will not compromise on standards' while affirming ‘commitment to British farmers'
Lidl has announced that it is standing firm on its "commitment to British farmers" as they confirmed that they will "not compromise on standards". The supermarket giant confirmed it will continue sourcing 100% fresh, British beef across all its stores, and has no plans to import or switch sourcing to beef suppliers outside of Great Britain. Lidl GB vowed to maintain its long-term support for British producers and farmers, ensuring its customers can continue to rely on the discounter for locally and responsibly sourced, high-quality fresh beef at market-leading value. READ MORE: Foreign Office issue stream of travel alerts following US strikes on Iran READ MORE: 'I was kicked out of Dubai and flown back to Manchester over my tattoos' The discount supermarket's fresh beef range is all Red Tractor Assured, which ensures that food safety, animal welfare, traceability, and environmental protection are all taken care of throughout the food chain. Lidl has written to Red Tractor, The National Farmers' Union, and its suppliers to reassure them on this commitment and pledge ongoing support for the British agricultural sector. Richard Bourns, Lidl GB Chief Commercial Officer, said: 'British farming is recognised globally for its high standards of animal welfare, food safety and environmental stewardship. At Lidl, we know these values matter to our customers, which is why we proudly support and champion British agriculture. 'As we enter our fourth decade in Great Britain, our commitment to these principles has never been stronger. We will not compromise on standards even if others choose to do so. Our commitment goes beyond maintaining high standards - it's about standing by British farmers when they need us most and doing what's right for our customers.' Lidl established itself in Great Britain in 1994 and today has more than 35,000 employees across its 980 stores and 14 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.
Telegraph
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
European puppy-smuggling gangs targeted by Government
European puppy-smuggling gangs are being targeted by new legislation capping the number and age of dogs that can cross the border into Britain. The Government-backed private members' bill will close loopholes that were exploited by the gangsters before Brexit, when the UK was a member of the EU pet passport system. The UK is expected to rejoin the EU passport for dogs, cats and ferrets scheme as part of Sir Keir Starmer's reset deal with Brussels. 'We would urge the Government to ensure that the UK-EU agreement does not have a negative impact on the measures included within the Bill,' warned Claire Calder of Dogs Trust. The passport was abused by criminals, many from Eastern Europe. They used forgeries or corrupt vets signing the travel documents without the proper checks to bring hundreds of thousands of poorly treated puppies into Britain. The Government insists the Bill, which has its third reading on July 3, will prevent a surge in puppy smuggling after the UK rejoins the scheme. Dr Danny Chambers, a Liberal Democrat MP and vet, said: 'So long as my Animal Welfare Bill continues to enjoy broad cross-party support and we get it passed into law, then when combined with pet passports, I'm fully confident the government will have the necessary powers to properly crack down on puppy smuggling.' The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill raises the minimum age for commercially imported puppies and kittens from 15 weeks to six months. It gives the Government powers to ban the import of heavily pregnant and mutilated dogs and cats. It cuts the number of dogs, cats and ferrets that can be brought into Britain to five per vehicle or three per foot or air passenger. Currently there is a five animal limit per person, rather than per vehicle. A Government spokesman said rejoining the pet passport scheme would make taking pets on holiday easier and cheaper and that the Bill 'will end puppy smuggling'. Senior Tories in Boris Johnson's government hailed Brexit as an opportunity to end puppy smuggling, but a bill to curb the illegal imports was shelved in 2023. The trade has continued even though Brexit meant far more stringent and costly health checks and paperwork requirements to move animals between the EU and UK. The number of pets involved in 'non-commercial' moves to the UK rose from 100,000 in 2011 to more than 320,000 in 2023, raising concerns that puppy smuggling was rife. The EU is working on new legislation to improve minimum common standards for breeding and keeping cats and dogs and to improve cross-border traceability. But there were warnings this week that it won't stop European 'puppy mills' because it does not cover breeders with three litters or fewer. Animal rights campaigners say that it is about 80 per cent of all breeders and that just one unregulated breeder can produce 100 puppies over one animal's lifetime. The RSPCA said it hoped the UK would be back in the EU pet passport scheme by the summer, but added that proper border enforcement was vital. 'Whilst the Government supported Bill raising the minimum age for puppy imports to six months will help enormously tackle the illegal puppy trade, it must be backed up with well-funded enforcement controls,' said David Bowles, of the RSPCA. Northern Irish politicians this week warned that the region could become a back door into the UK for puppy smugglers because of its Brexit deal, which keeps the border with EU member Ireland invisible. Ulster Unionist Party MLA Robbie Butler said of the Bill: ' What we risk doing here is creating an alternative route where animals are brought legally into the Republic, then re-registered, and quietly moved across the border into Northern Ireland and on to Great Britain without triggering enforcement.'
BBC News
09-06-2025
- BBC News
Life ban for Malton man who mistreated two wild birds
A man found guilty of mistreating two injured wild birds has been given a lifetime ban on keeping Jefferson, 30, from Malton, was found by an RSPCA inspector to be keeping a jackdaw with a damaged foot and a pigeon with a broken wing in a pen at his birds had suffered the effects of marijuana, with the jackdaw found with a bell around its neck and its claws painted with nail polish and the pigeon found with a wing wrapped in gaffer tape, the court was given an 18-month community order and ordered to pay £194 towards the costs of the case having admitted two offences under the Animal Welfare Act. The court heard the birds had been seen by RSPCA Inspector Laura Barber during a visit to Jefferson's home in Scarborough for an unrelated matter in June told the court Jefferson claimed to have found both birds injured, but had not sought veterinary treatment for either. The court was told on 2 June that Jefferson had been treating the jackdaw with an immune protection vitamin paste, later identified as a paste used to treat cats. It was described by Insp Barber as appearing "quiet, withdrawn and lethargic".When vets later examined it they found it had a dislocated toe, with "sparkly glittery nail polish" painted on each of its vet added: "Marijuana toxicity could explain the lethargic, glazed demeanour of this bird in an environment that would usually cause panic."The bird was treated for dehydration before being transported to an RSPCA wildlife RSPCA spokesperson said the wood pigeon had been put down as a result of the damage caused by "inappropriate use of the grey gaffer tape". Insp Barber added: "Keeping these injured wild birds was unlawful. "Whatever the intentions towards the birds, this was not an appropriate way to treat them." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
India Gazette
08-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Prashant Advait Foundation honoured with
Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 8 (ANI): The Prashant Advait Foundation received the 'Best Animal Welfare Organisation' Award in recognition of its work saving over a million animals and fostering compassion through spiritual clarity. The Green Society of India presented the award to the Foundation at the World Environment Expo 2025 held at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida. The award honours the Foundation's unmatched work in 2024 in promoting compassionate living and directly saving the lives of more than a million animals via awareness campaigns. Pradeep Vaghasiya (COO) and Devesh Mittal (CTO) accepted the award on behalf of the Foundation. 'This award is not just for the Foundation; it belongs to every individual who chose compassion over consumption,' Devesh Mittal said during the ceremony. The foundation actively works to protect animals from cruelty and exploitation and highlights the teachings of Vedanta. 'Our goal is to create a society that views animal welfare as the most basic manifestation of human responsibility and intelligence, not as charity. With the help of Acharya Prashant and the teachings of Vedanta, we're helping people see that animal cruelty is not just an external issue, it's a reflection of inner ignorance,' he added. Pradeep Vaghasiya further continued. 'When inner clarity dawns, true welfare begins.' In 2024, the Foundation's efforts helped over 50,000 families move away from animal-based products. The Foundation also played a major role in reducing animal sacrifices at the Gadhimai Festival, the world's largest animal sacrifice event. In contrast to traditional welfare organisations, the Foundation's strategy is based on spiritual awakening. It answers cruelty through raising human consciousness. Rooted in Vedanta, the Foundation's goal is to inspire individuals to bring about an internal revolution. Through awareness campaigns and extensive public outreach, it seeks to establish a sustainable future for all living things. As the world celebrates another World Environment Day, the recognition of PrashantAdvait Foundation reminds us that lasting change comes not from external policies alone but from a change of heart and mind. (ANI)
South China Morning Post
07-06-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Does Hong Kong know it's Eid ul-Adha?
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification This year, Eid ul-Adha is being celebrated today in Hong Kong, as in many other Muslim communities across Asia. Often called the 'Festival of Sacrifice', it is one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the profound faith and obedience of the prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son in submission to God's will. At the last moment, God provided a ram to be sacrificed instead. The ritual sacrifice of an animal – usually a sheep, goat or cow – is central to the celebration. But Eid ul-Adha is about far more than the act of slaughter. It is a time of reflection, generosity and community spirit. The meat is traditionally divided into three portions: one for family, one for friends and neighbours, and one for the less fortunate. Despite its deep spiritual and social significance, Eid ul-Adha has attracted controversy in Western media, particularly over animal welfare. It is important to clarify that Islamic law places great emphasis on kindness towards animals. The animal to be sacrificed must be healthy, treated gently and slaughtered swiftly with a sharp knife while invoking God.
